Cardiff Reusable Cup Scheme Launch

A brand-new returnable coffee cup scheme will be launching in the Welsh capital next month. The Cardiff Refill Return Cup scheme – the first-of-its-kind in Wales – will enable Cardiffians to ‘borrow’ a reusable takeaway cup from a participating café and return it at a later date so that it can be washed and used again and again.

The Cardiff Refill Return Cup will roll out across cafes in the city from October 4th 2024; the scheme has been brough to life by FOR Cardiff with the help of £90,000 funding from the UK government through the Shared Prosperity Fund. To deliver the scheme, FOR Cardiff has partnered with environmental charity City to Sea; their award-winning Refill app will enable Cardiff residents and visitors to easily find locations to pick up and drop off their reusable cup.

The pilot phase of the scheme will run until the end of March 2025 and aims to reduce waste and tackle pollution and littering across the city. The impact of the scheme will be measured and evaluated by the Greenwich Business School at the University of Greenwich and the Cardiff Business School at Cardiff University, in hopes that the data will help to provide a blueprint for future schemes across the UK.

An estimated 2.5 billion takeaway coffee cups (30,000 tonnes) are used and thrown away each year in the UK – enough to stretch around the world five and a half times if placed end to end – and 99% of these are currently not recycled. The UK uses a mind-blowing 10,000 coffee cups every two minutes.

Cardiff cafes and coffee shops who have so far signed up to be part of the scheme include Waterloo Tea in Wyndham Arcade, Pettigrew Bakeries (three locations across the city – Castle Arcade, Bute Park and Roath), Da Coffee (two locations at Tramshed Tech and One Central Square) and, Bird & Blend Tea. Each venue has committed to offering a minimum of 15p discount on the price of a coffee for anyone using the Cardiff Refill Return Cup scheme.

How the Cardiff Refill Return Cup works:

• Cafes and coffee shops across the city will sign up to the scheme and will be provided with a stock of the reusable cups. · The customer will download the Refill app and register their card details in preparation for using one of the Cardiff Refill Return Cups (no charges will be taken).
• When a customer comes in for a coffee, the barista will use the award-winning Refill app to scan a QR code on one of the Cardiff Refill Return Cups, and temporary ownership of the cup goes to the customer.
• The customer will be reminded when and where to return the cup by the Refill app; provided the cup is returned within two weeks, there is NO charge for using the scheme.
• Once the customer returns the cup, the participating retailer will scan it back in, wash it and put it back into circulation to be re-used by another customer – again and again and again!

Carolyn Brownell, Executive Director at FOR Cardiff said,

“Our 2021-26 FOR Cardiff business plan clearly sets out our ambition to support businesses and work with local stakeholders to improve sustainability of our city centre, so we were thrilled to secure the funding we need to bring this exciting pilot to life. We’re positive that Cardiffians will get behind the scheme and help us to prevent up to 30,000 single-use cups from ever being used.”

David Le Masurier, co-founder of Pettigrew Bakeries in Cardiff – one of the first independent businesses to sign up to the new scheme – said,

“Over the years we have consistently looked at ways to offer takeaways more sustainably – from offering discounts for people using their own cups, to making sure we sourced biodegradable materials for cups and packaging – but there are various challenges with both of these approaches. Being part of this pilot was an absolute no brainer for us as, it is clearly the most sustainable option; we’re really excited to get started we know our customers’ will jump at the chance to tackle the issue.”

George Clark, Programme Lead at City to Sea commented,

“Building on the success of the Refill Return Cup in Bristol and Bath, we are thrilled to be working with FOR Cardiff to bring the scheme to Cardiff and prevent thousands of single-use hot drink cups from entering the waste stream. We are very excited that the project will act as the first Welsh pilot to better understand the most effective way to operate the system and engage the public and local businesses – pollution and single-use litter is a challenge we must all play a part in tackling.”

Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning and Transport, Cllr Dan De’Ath, said:

“Billions of single-use coffee cups are thrown away each year but this new scheme will ensure that for the first time here in Cardiff, there is a practical, sustainable alternative. Helping reduce the amount of waste we all create is an important part of our One Planet Cardiff strategy and I’m delighted that, working with our partners at FOR Cardiff, we’ve been able to help secure the funding that is bringing the scheme to Cardiff.”

Dr Nadine Leader, lecturer in Logistics and Operations at Cardiff Business School (Cardiff University), said,

“The research undertaken by Cardiff Business School is in alignment with our Public Value Strategy of generating social and economic value to local communities and businesses in Wales and beyond. The research will evaluate on the challenges and sustainable impact of the Cardiff Refill Return Cup, with the findings to be published at the end of the pilot. This will be crucial if we are to see similar schemes rolled out across Wales and the rest of the UK.”

Pearl Costello is the Sustainable Food Places Coordinator at FoodCardiff – the city’s rapidly growing food partnership, and the organisation behind the campaign to make Cardiff one of the UK’s most sustainable food places by 2024 (find out more). She added,

“It is wonderful to see Wales’ first reusable cup scheme being launched here in the Welsh capital. Cardiff has a growing ‘good food movement’ and the Cardiff Refill Return Cup will play a big part in making the city’s thriving café culture much more sustainable.”

Any other Cardiff venues who would like to be part of the scheme should get in touch before 13th September by emailing Rhiannon at FOR Cardiff via email at [email protected].

Source: ForCardiff.com

by Ben Maizey

European Circular Economy Hotspot 2024 Event

Wales recently announced it's delight to host the European Circular Economy Hotspot 2024 and have since then released more details of the event and how to get involved.

The event fosters international collaboration and provides an opportunity to network and discuss how we can advance circular economy practices.

The European Circular Economy Hotspot is an annual event that began in the Netherlands in 2016. It is hosted in different locations each year, with each region chosen for its innovative and best practices in developing a circular economy. Previous hosts include Dublin, Bottrop in Germany, Catalonia, Belgium, Scotland, and Luxembourg.

Circular Economy Hotspot Cymru 2024 offers a unique opportunity to gain insights from Wales, where the wellbeing of future generations is at the heart of decision-making. Wales has made significant strides towards a sustainable, circular economy.

Wales has achieved notable success, including being ranked second in the world for recycling. Our circular economy strategy, Beyond Recycling, focuses on embedding circular practices in production, reducing consumption through increased reuse, repair, and food waste prevention. This strategy supports Wales’ ambition to decarbonise and become a net-zero and zero-waste nation by 2050.

The conference will highlight the importance of circular economy principles in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It will showcase the collaborative, partnership-led approach to these goals and encourage attendees to share ideas, best practices, and innovations across sectors and borders.

Information regarding a detailed programme of events along with how to get involved can be found here: Circular Economy Hotspot Cymru 7 - 9 October 2024

by Ben Maizey

Wrap Cymru Repair and Re-use Consultation

by Ben Maizey

Landfill Tax Consultation Announced

by Ben Maizey

Circular Economy Hotspot Cymru 2024

The Welsh Government has announced that Wales will be hosting the 2024 European Circular Economy Hotspot: Circular Economy Hotspot Cymru 2024 on 7 to 9 October 2024, in Cardiff.

At this international event, we will share Wales' circular economy achievements and aspirations, and learn about circular economy solutions from the public sector, private sector, and communities from Wales and beyond. You will have the opportunity to directly engage with Welsh projects across industry, business, public bodies, academia, and our towns and cities.

In the meantime, if you or your organisation is interested in participating in Circular Economy Hotspot Cymru, please get in touch: Circular Economy Hotspot Cymru 2024: Contact us (smartsurvey.co.uk)

For further information please select the following link: Circular Economy Hotspot Cymru 2024

The Green Growth Pledge helps Welsh businesses take pro-active steps towards improving their sustainability, demonstrating their positive impact on the people and places around them. Sign up today: Green Growth Pledge | Business Wales (gov.wales)

Source: Welsh Government Press Release 

by Ben Maizey

Wales: 2nd in the World!

Da iawn Cymru! Wales named as second best recycling nation in the world

Wales by far leads the way in the UK and is listed just behind Austria in the global rankings published by Eunomia Research and Consulting and Reloop.

Northern Ireland is ranked 9th, England at 11th and Scotland at 15th among the 48 countries included in the comparison.

‘Global Recycling League Table - Phase One Report’ examined the recycling performance of 48 countries, including the countries that report the highest recycling rates and many of the world’s largest economies.  It is being published today on World Environment Day.

The First Minister of Wales, Vaughan Gething, said:

It’s fantastic news that Wales has climbed to second in the world for recycling. This shows what we can achieve when people across Wales work together to deliver against ambitious targets, backed up by investment in our infrastructure.

Thanks to the efforts of households and workplaces across Wales, we have transformed from a nation with very low rates of recycling at the beginning of devolution to one of the leading nations in the world and far ahead of the rest of the UK.

This achievement belongs to all of us, and we are committed to improving recycling rates further still with the number one spot in the world our next target.

Climate Change Cabinet Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies added:

This is excellent news and, with the action we are already taking, we are working towards challenging for the top spot.

In rolling out the successful approach to household recycling to our workplaces, we are also taking action to tackle the climate and nature emergency, while providing important benefits to the economy, by capturing a resilient supply of high-quality recycled materials.

This is so important for Wales because it means capturing high quality recycling that is fed back into the economy and supports creating jobs, with a high percentage staying in Wales and the wider UK for processing.

It also helps us tackle the climate and nature emergencies by reducing our carbon emissions and avoiding the need to extract raw materials with the damage they can bring.

I often talk about a Welsh way of doing things and the team effort which had led to today’s achievement is one should all be rightly proud of – da iawn Cymru!

AWD Group are a Welsh company who play an important role in the circular economy here in Wales. Their plastic granulation line was grant supported by the Welsh Government’s pilot of the Circular Economy Fund.

Managing Director of AWD Group Ltd, Alun Wyn Davies said:

We take in 300 tonnes of mixed rigid plastics a week and we're proud of the contribution we make towards our recycling targets in Wales.

Cleaning and processing this material is hard work, but recycling these plastics is important because it would have historically gone to landfill and wouldn't break down for hundreds of thousands of years.

We're proud to employ 38 staff members and will soon introduce a second shift which will employ an extra 22 jobs. Most of the people who work here are from Neath Port-Talbot. I'm from the area myself so employing local people is important to me, especially with the current situation at Tata.

Wales are truly on the map with these recycling figures, and that's a huge achievement.

Source: Wales Government Press Release

by Ben Maizey

Digital Bottle Recycling Trial Results

Welsh Government Press Release Statement 

Results from world’s first full-town digital deposit return scheme trial are in

Deposit return schemes (DRS) are successfully used across the world as a way of encouraging more people to recycle drinks containers like bottles and cans.

Householders and visitors to Brecon took part in the DDRS Scan|Recycle|Reward trial, and the recently published results show high levels of engagement with 18,794 rewards being claimed, more than four for every household.

The Brecon Scan|Recycle|Reward trial was led by DDRS Alliance with support from Welsh Government, Powys County Council, WRAP’s Collaborative Change Programme and local retailers.

The trial worked differently from a traditional deposit return scheme as it trialled technology that digitally scans the drinks containers, meaning deposits can even be reclaimed from the comfort of people’s homes. It was also reward-based, with residents claiming a 10p reward when returning eligible containers. Usually, people are charged a deposit on drinks container which then must be taken back to a retailer or to a reverse vending machine to reclaim the deposit.

Those involved with the trial in Brecon say the high level of cooperation with the scheme shows that people in Wales are open to using a digital deposit return scheme in the future.

The positive results from the trial included:

• 58% of all returned containers came through the household weekly recycling collections
• the trial showed a range of return options was preferred over any particular route
• 97.6% of all containers returned at home were captured in the recycling stream
• there was no significant fraud or misuse of the system
• despite being an early trial, 56% of participants surveyed said they would recommend the scheme in the future

Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change, Huw Irranca-Davies said:

I’d like to thank the people of Brecon for taking part in the Digital Deposit Return Scheme trial – their willingness to get involved will help develop our plans for the DRS across Wales.

This trial will support our ongoing work into DDRS and help build on our already world class recycling rates. Our aim is to move to a more circular economy where resources are reused and recycled rather than being wasted.

The trial enabled eligible containers to be returned, with participants claiming a 10p reward for each one, through four different return methods tailored to accommodate non-smartphone users as well as those happy to use the technology:

• Kerbside: Utilised existing weekly kerbside recycling service, crediting rewards to an online account (smartphone required).
• Automated Return Point (ARP): Similar to traditional Reverse Vending Machines (but much simpler), rewards were credited to either online accounts or printed cash vouchers (smartphone optional).
• Community Bins: Outdoor, on-the-go option crediting rewards to an online account (smartphone required).
• Over the Counter Return (OTC): Rewards redeemed in-store as cash (smartphone not required).

Over the course of the Scan|Recycle|Reward trial, 18,794 rewards were claimed. Results indicated kerbside return as the most popular and convenient method (chosen for 58% of returns), with 97.6% capture compliance observed.

The analysis showcased high material quality across return routes, with PET plastic bottles comprising 63% of returns, followed by cans (29%), cartons (7%), and glass (less than 1%).

Matt Perry, Powys County Council’s Chief Officer said:

The residents, visitors and retailers of Brecon thoroughly embraced their involvement in this innovative trial, and it was encouraging to witness everyone’s enthusiasm and willingness to give the digital technology a go. The results show for themselves how a digital version of the traditional return deposit schemes could easily be incorporated into the already established weekly kerbside collections services offered by most local authorities making life easier for citizens to return containers whilst also keeping our carbon footprint to a minimum.

DDRS Alliance members said:

We came together to deliver a scalable technology solution to support the Brecon trial.

The system worked flawlessly behind the scenes despite being supported from five European countries and the results show how simple this solution is to the public.

Co-founder and Director of DDRS Alliance, Duncan Midwood said:

This trial was incredibly complex, involving 24 retailers and over 50 suppliers and partners.

Despite its complexity, it worked flawlessly and has delivered some great insight and, more importantly, showed that the British public values a solution for increasing recycling and reducing litter that fits in with their varied and busy lives.

Claire Shrewsberry, Director of Insights and Innovation, WRAP said:

This trial has been hugely important to better understand the complexities of operating a successful DDRS scheme in Wales. It’s clear that the people involved have completely embraced the options. WRAP looks forward to helping Welsh Government introduce a DRS system that works successfully across the whole country and builds on its impressive recycling performance.

by Ben Maizey